tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58881879431516465672024-03-18T20:57:25.309-07:00Ukrainian Dance WorldVincent Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885118126262449432noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888187943151646567.post-58476956839841627012010-09-20T08:18:00.000-07:002010-09-20T08:42:54.416-07:00Ukrainian Dance in South America – Part I<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">So I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina last month for a show with the Viter Ukrainian Dancers. The show was to be at 4 o’clock on a Sunday afternoon, and was organized by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dnipro</i> Gold Travel Company, with help from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prosvita</i> Ukrainian Dancers, but not everything starts on time here!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwAmtICVeFFDKpDd_S9QWng0rpXqtSXcX5sg2kXDfoelT1D3JQcAwAWPPCRxWPaKUKH8zE193EqAalHwKewo6okZgOfBcb0sJMz9QVpBYVn5DUqNIoPXKm9T3eOCvsTOk9fB9gpu9WyAK/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwAmtICVeFFDKpDd_S9QWng0rpXqtSXcX5sg2kXDfoelT1D3JQcAwAWPPCRxWPaKUKH8zE193EqAalHwKewo6okZgOfBcb0sJMz9QVpBYVn5DUqNIoPXKm9T3eOCvsTOk9fB9gpu9WyAK/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US">Did you know there are 12 Ukrainian dance clubs in Buenos Aires alone? I was shocked. The main dance group called Prosvita, celebrated its 85<sup>th</sup> Anniversary last year. Some of the smaller groups in the suburbs of Buenos Airies are under the Prosvita umbrella, while others like Zirka, are independent. In fact, there are Ukrainian dance groups all over Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. One couple drove 1600 kms to come and see our show. What? Yea, apparently they rarely have foreign dance groups perform here because most only go to Brazil.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US">Ukrainians came to Argentina and other places in South America in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century at the same time they emigrated from the far corners of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, during the first exodus. I guess you either got on the boat to Canada or South America.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US">So anyway, the show was sold out long before we arrived and the community gave us a wonderful reception. After the show, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prosvita</i> hosted a big Ukrainian feast with some of the best food we had since we arrived. We did have a fantastic steak dinner the other night but we’re from Alberta so… you know…. it was ok. But the local Ukrainian community hosted such a nice night of Ukrainian music, food and drink. We launched into some singing with our musicians and theirs, which eventually morphed into a Kolomyika that lasted for quite some time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US">One crazy moment in the evening was when one Canadian family realized they were related to one of the Brazilian-Ukrainian families. They just haven’t seen each other in a 100 years!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US">It was so strange and beautiful to be in a foreign country, where I do not understand the language (Portugese), speaking Ukrainian! Interestingly, they speak very well. I would say generally that Ukrainian has been preserved amongst 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> generation Ukrainians better than in Canada.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As for Argentenian dance – it’s all tango, all the time! But you have to go there to experience it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7cgeKCv5NvgAj5wv0Gee21ADQM-9TMA1mzUtY-anLA9Wv6hpbovVGiyOaXskl7vE8ljO1wLZQe7zaBFiXmPhERK2ImOe_D020JdxcQvIw8GPMyK4gnGfAYzfEvP3Y9lKRfJCO2k1GLzz/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7cgeKCv5NvgAj5wv0Gee21ADQM-9TMA1mzUtY-anLA9Wv6hpbovVGiyOaXskl7vE8ljO1wLZQe7zaBFiXmPhERK2ImOe_D020JdxcQvIw8GPMyK4gnGfAYzfEvP3Y9lKRfJCO2k1GLzz/s200/DSC_0130.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LNF8Z_DGWT0nAva5N9X4RSEHrMPrANiZflnVgv0_VjlI-3_2I_FMEmCbGDECo9p4sl92slRkHq2oilxDIPjXApRrYPhkHJVmYe6QuKf6kFSUUbJ4TooR_dblR03-sSznsZB-as6_FGG9/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LNF8Z_DGWT0nAva5N9X4RSEHrMPrANiZflnVgv0_VjlI-3_2I_FMEmCbGDECo9p4sl92slRkHq2oilxDIPjXApRrYPhkHJVmYe6QuKf6kFSUUbJ4TooR_dblR03-sSznsZB-as6_FGG9/s200/DSC_0232.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdc6m_JAzYzubejXfgPXfaROJMIV-_pecbF3wJolvLNk4-qIKLvSode_yqq8mmPhRoNsivVbFtUt1dJFD13xPRplSYuzE0W_h7hIixaDlklgf-c2h2JI5ODzZRh-ojwngIMQhvcDUfhfM/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdc6m_JAzYzubejXfgPXfaROJMIV-_pecbF3wJolvLNk4-qIKLvSode_yqq8mmPhRoNsivVbFtUt1dJFD13xPRplSYuzE0W_h7hIixaDlklgf-c2h2JI5ODzZRh-ojwngIMQhvcDUfhfM/s640/DSC_0639.JPG" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Then we travelled into Brazil. We saw Iguassu Falls, which is so beautiful that it makes Niagura look like a baby pool. </span></div>Vincent Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885118126262449432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888187943151646567.post-31172972007957543442010-08-05T08:25:00.000-07:002010-08-05T08:25:00.178-07:00Dauphin 2010<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">So… I must admit I wasn’t that excited about going to Dauphin as I used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know… been there done that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been lucky enough to perform on the stage at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival several times, with many fond memories. (And a few foggy ones too!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway, things were usual, long bus ride, Husky truck stop food, movies and sore muscles even before we performed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But excitement did build as we drove up to the site and could see the enormous Grand Stand stage at the bottom of the hill.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This show was a little different for me I guess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shumka has taken some artistic directions that are challenging for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not as comfortable with some of the more contemporary “stuff” as I am with “standard” Ukrainian dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But hey, I’m willing to try anything twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention that I’m not as limber as I used to be and didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of my peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway the show went off really good actually… until Hopak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgXQuGlJ4gIRnFRHsN1e78U3IOrXpssFC52W-BSqT-9lpMU5HzG1vjWIq2wM3Jby2GSZYecTvb_4mTWfuEPX6bqwSB9HMUK4ZivFXruTYhHUTKfNECzNRmkpqlq7pkk4-oqP6s6pYmvps/s1600/38710_1578329098641_1248030533_31577621_2665687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgXQuGlJ4gIRnFRHsN1e78U3IOrXpssFC52W-BSqT-9lpMU5HzG1vjWIq2wM3Jby2GSZYecTvb_4mTWfuEPX6bqwSB9HMUK4ZivFXruTYhHUTKfNECzNRmkpqlq7pkk4-oqP6s6pYmvps/s320/38710_1578329098641_1248030533_31577621_2665687_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">You know this is Shumka’s Classic Hopak, choreographed by John Pichlyk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of legendary I think that even my friends in other groups could admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me just add in here that there are many, many great Hopak’s but this one has found a special place in the heart of the Ukrainian dance world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems to tap something in your soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s the combination of Gene Zwozdesky’s musical score and Pichlyk’s choreography that just hit the right mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dunno what it is, but it’s the kind of dance, no matter who you are, from what culture – you cannot help but be moved by it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So when Shumka finished Hopak, you could literally feel the roar of the crowd as if a big lion was roaring in your face or some kind of explosion had just gone off in front of you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sent shivers down my spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we did our Encore!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">When we finished the roar of the crown seemed even bigger, my show was done and I finally relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just soaked it up - time seemed to stand still and I realized that I never thought I would have had the chance to feel this again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a rush!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFBW36RFrASQGhyVCDl171FqdOfECUlmpogzQ2hehnol5I1AgETMztQXlH0ho9el3hXpSWGni2ntAs9C3mvxJqbgT6i9Vfi_PLed0BReqAAGfYrqP3HM45YIEU3wI_kufGKj_uxY8w0BT/s1600/39337_10150235512050153_583015152_14137441_5405180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFBW36RFrASQGhyVCDl171FqdOfECUlmpogzQ2hehnol5I1AgETMztQXlH0ho9el3hXpSWGni2ntAs9C3mvxJqbgT6i9Vfi_PLed0BReqAAGfYrqP3HM45YIEU3wI_kufGKj_uxY8w0BT/s320/39337_10150235512050153_583015152_14137441_5405180_n.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I hurt my back really bad once upon a time and a twist of fate brought me back into the dance studio just over a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How lucky am I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my friends who have shared this moment with me before were in the audience, but I got to be on the stage again. How lucky am I?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I don’t know how the Universe conspired to make this happen – but thank you! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The rest of the festival was a perogy eating, beer drinking, sun burning, Kolomyika dancing, mosquito biting, body painting rock concert event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Kubasonics used an old bra as a slingshot to launch rings of Kubasa into the audience and Haydamaky – Kozak Rock, made the accordion look some kind of epic guitar from an 80’s glory rock band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone should really make a documentary about this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot invent the people or the things that go down here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX318YyCAkyl8obiQON2nVhRAy9mRshuuLmPOu-6pdNa3meve5J-wNpDEsnw4LcdaSz6HJOGRxGLENIalSDh060c9VHeAalp3899a4L0MGMD6O7y67h22VdIoMN8mVRz2Qt455n5Ebsz32/s1600/39695_10150236233540442_647255441_13787432_5851783_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX318YyCAkyl8obiQON2nVhRAy9mRshuuLmPOu-6pdNa3meve5J-wNpDEsnw4LcdaSz6HJOGRxGLENIalSDh060c9VHeAalp3899a4L0MGMD6O7y67h22VdIoMN8mVRz2Qt455n5Ebsz32/s320/39695_10150236233540442_647255441_13787432_5851783_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Until next time Dauphin – I’ll be back!</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Vincent Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885118126262449432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888187943151646567.post-15120740992392819892010-08-05T08:04:00.000-07:002010-08-05T08:16:57.762-07:00Wedding HopakOur friends Oles’ and Pam got married on July 24<sup>th</sup>. A collective aww!!!!!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This was a special sort of wedding in Shumka land because both of them are Shumka dancers. This happens from time to time and usually provides the ingredients for a party the likes of which happens only in movies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NuOpNl9kmU88xFMFk32ebBlCQ85pGAEijJ5WlFI8QFfgEGOf_MRdGG4UboZJiFx0ED1M4gNvfuGPUbKR9MP-CCBN0EVp4aw5UNI7GviXA55638Jl_texTT2xtTzW9D-DCXbm1osQNG_s/s1600/35239_10150212822245136_603845135_13733267_469750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NuOpNl9kmU88xFMFk32ebBlCQ85pGAEijJ5WlFI8QFfgEGOf_MRdGG4UboZJiFx0ED1M4gNvfuGPUbKR9MP-CCBN0EVp4aw5UNI7GviXA55638Jl_texTT2xtTzW9D-DCXbm1osQNG_s/s320/35239_10150212822245136_603845135_13733267_469750_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Normally, when you enter the church, the usher asks if you are friends of the bride or groom. This particular wedding the ushers asked, “Friends of the bride, groom or Shumka”? (It’s not that we are diseased or something)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway, Shumka’s gift, when one of its members gets married is a wedding Hopak. The gift of dance! What else can you give to someone who has shared so much with you? So many intangible moments on stages, buses, in the studio or around the world. So far I’ve been able to avoid receiving this gift, but those who have received it swear that it’s something special.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So when a Shumka dancer gets married, his or her friends come out and give “the gift of dance”. Oh yea, and a mini goat too! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Depending on if the person is currently dancing, how many years they danced, or if they danced 10 years ago or last year, will effect how many people turn up for “Wedding Hopak”. But when two Shumka’s, who have only recently stopped dancing, marry each other…. Look out baby – it’s party time! Seriously it’s like a Zabava with an open bar. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We had 70 people sign up to perform for Oles’ and Pam. We actually had to ask people to step out because there were just too many people to fit on the stage!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway, it was great once we finally performed. I actually think someone needs to invent the job of Ukrainian-Canadian wedding planner because we sat in the parking lot for hours waiting to dance. When we did dance, the couple was brought to tears. No - not from the vodka shots, but seeing all their friends, who they know through their Ukrainian dance world, come and celebrate their union. A union that actually would not have been possible if it weren’t for Ukrainian dance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway, we have this acrobatic-throw-move-thing that we do. We usually throw a little guy but this time we threw one of Oles’ buddies who’s like 6’3”. I honestly thought, “poor Pam”, ‘cause Oles practically lost control (prematurely) right there on the spot. Fantastic!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqv-JpvP04Vn999ufNAR7Hr2HQiUnMpKYyYzP2gVAx7HohQSmPgyNekhEudSmdCbfPSu0Pc41ysOsstvkwRxnRxEQrCcEtDQWPN4dyyazLQZ7tVgyjCgusPN-98kw48AcVwhveno_vrUIS/s1600/39487_466714722456_545372456_6660709_3331690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqv-JpvP04Vn999ufNAR7Hr2HQiUnMpKYyYzP2gVAx7HohQSmPgyNekhEudSmdCbfPSu0Pc41ysOsstvkwRxnRxEQrCcEtDQWPN4dyyazLQZ7tVgyjCgusPN-98kw48AcVwhveno_vrUIS/s320/39487_466714722456_545372456_6660709_3331690_n.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The rest of the night was awesome - a gathering of epic proportions. The Kolomyika was the perfect balance of ridiculous and inspiring. Even after the band finished playing we kept dancing late into the night and into the parking lot! So congratulations Pam and Oles’. I hope we celebrated large!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The best part is now they are free to go and produce little genetically modified Shumka babies! And there are 7 Shumka wedding already planned for next summer. Yikes! Can anyone say baby factory?</span></div>Vincent Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885118126262449432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888187943151646567.post-82125628009468114902010-08-04T16:17:00.000-07:002010-08-04T16:24:44.035-07:00Viter goes to Peace River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSDDSfbRDXb92YfokEw1_-oCOodS7owd8gxm79IoIalPfR5nCIhqIC6B_2KNL_nQdPWLvh-QRmGzUoScgs-5ZyEGBvTEVXuT5XHxWj7smBAnTyW69842PoGTVk38QuSLxdX4w5EjukpyN/s1600/34343_10150221157695055_584680054_13231959_7247022_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSDDSfbRDXb92YfokEw1_-oCOodS7owd8gxm79IoIalPfR5nCIhqIC6B_2KNL_nQdPWLvh-QRmGzUoScgs-5ZyEGBvTEVXuT5XHxWj7smBAnTyW69842PoGTVk38QuSLxdX4w5EjukpyN/s320/34343_10150221157695055_584680054_13231959_7247022_n.jpg" /></a></div>A couple of weeks ago, I traveled with the Viter dancers and choir of Edmonton on a bus to Peace River. It was the opening ceremonies for the Alberta Summer Games. As you might expect with such and event, the journey was long, the stage was too small, the sun was way too hot and there was barely an audience to speak of. I mean there was about 50 people there give or take.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So with everybody having such a busy schedule, you know… places to go – people to see, who has time to waste on such a rinky-dink show of no major importance? Call me crazy but some may wonder!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Well after the show we were transported to the local IGA grocery store that had a little café. The owner’s daughters do Ukrainian dance and wanted to treat us to dinner. We were treated to a fantastic turkey dinner with all the trimmings as thanks for our performance. In response, after a couple of speeches were traded, we sang Mno haya lita (many happy years) and the owners mother was moved to tears. This of course moved others to tears and we all shared a little moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It occurred to me that these little moments occur from time to time between the Ukrainian dance community and others who, are perhaps less connected with their cultural heritage than they’d like to be. Or they are awed by how passionate some can be with their culture. It also created a bond amongst ourselves. A choir and a dance group from Edmonton, a collection of generations, from different walks of life, brought together for one reason, to express our heritage, culture, Ukrainian-ness, Canadian-ness etc… It was during that moment when that woman started crying and I knew the day wasn’t a waste!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I think the Viter dancers learned something too and it made me reflect on the things I learned growing up and participating in events like this. The things we do – cannot be measured in money or time. Certain gifts have no value. A spontaneous sharing can be more precious than anything else in the world.</span></div>Vincent Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885118126262449432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888187943151646567.post-86105011150243336022010-08-04T16:00:00.000-07:002010-08-04T16:30:04.536-07:00Vegreville 2010I thought Vegreville Pysanka festival 2010 would be a great launch point for kicking this off. Veg this year was pretty good actually. A wide variety of performers were on the grandstand including Canada’s National Riding and Dancing Kozaks from Dauphin, Manitoba who told a curious little story about Kozaks on the prairies. Ahhh… I agree. The horses were cool though - and the canon.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US">Viter Ukrainian dancers rocked but judge for yourself. I’m biased here!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLq2PD6O_m-zSyKlrvNFOmjzNC2Xpv4STlZNxI87UjrvhQKM9r_kTFp-21AC0fEnKHtFliUe4P2lgsa33GwLPPKDg7P2RQRWGwbbEXXdVLWYTN4_WmPA6Ar4bdtO7AnHzRRtCUUbXFA_I/s1600/safe_image.php.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLq2PD6O_m-zSyKlrvNFOmjzNC2Xpv4STlZNxI87UjrvhQKM9r_kTFp-21AC0fEnKHtFliUe4P2lgsa33GwLPPKDg7P2RQRWGwbbEXXdVLWYTN4_WmPA6Ar4bdtO7AnHzRRtCUUbXFA_I/s320/safe_image.php.jpeg" /></a><span lang="EN-US">There was a group from Wishart Saskatchewan. Where? I know, I know but they were full of piss and vinegar and what they lacked in technique they made of for in spirit. It was a bit of old school. Lots of fun and it reminded me of Ukrainian dance in Alberta 20 years ago. This was a time when small towns still had big groups and kids weren’t too cool to dance. I heard some people making fun of Wishart but maybe we could learn a thing or two from them. Stop being elitist and enjoy Ukrainian dance for the pure pleasure of pouring your heart out on stage. Encourage people who want to dance and show their love of Ukrainian culture this way. Don’t judge their interpretation of Ukrainian culture or the abilities. That will come in time. That can be taught. Passion comes from the heart and soul – this is harder to teach.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The competition was weak this year. Vegreville used to be the pride of Ukrainian dance culture. I have lots of thoughts on why this has changed but that’s for another day. They have re-jigged their competition structure for the better I think, with new categories etc… now they just need to get groups out!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">One highlight was the Trick Competition. This is a great idea and although it was only 20 minutes, it drew a bigger crown than the regular dance competition. I hope to see this grow!</span></div>Vincent Reeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05885118126262449432noreply@blogger.com0